Pulsating slurry flow in pipelines

An experimental study on pulsating turbulent flow of sand-water suspension was carried out. The objective was to investigate the effect of pulsating flow parameters, such as, frequency and amplitude on the critical velocity, the pressure drop per unit length of pipeline and hence the energy requirements for hydraulic transportation of a unit mass of solids. The apparatus was constructed as a closed loop of 11.4 m length and 3.3 cm inner diameter of steel tubing. Solid volumetric concentrations of up to 20% were used in turbulent flow at a mean Reynolds number of 33,000–82,000. Pulsation was generated using compressed air in a controlled pulsation unit. Frequencies of 0.1–1.0 Hz and amplitude ratios of up to 30% were used. Instantaneous pressure drop and flow rate curves were digitized to calculate the energy dissipation associated with pulsation. The critical velocity in pulsating flow was found to be less than that for the corresponding steady flow at the same volumetric concentration. Energy dissipation for pulsating flow was found to be a function of both frequency and amplitude of pulsation. A possible energy saving was indicated at frequencies of 0.4–0.8 Hz and moderate amplitudes ratios of less than 25%.List of symbols A cross-section area of the tube (m²) - C _D drag coefficient of sand particles - C _v volumetric concentration (%) - D inner diameter of test-section pipe (m) - F frequency (Hz) - f friction factor - g gravitational constant (m/s²) - J energy dissipation of suspension (W/m)/(kg/s) - J _p energy dissipation of pulsating suspension (W/m)/(kg/s) - J _s energy dissipation of steady component of suspension (W/m)/(kg/s) - J _w energy dissipation of pure water (W/m)/(kg/s) - L length of test-section (m) - m mass flow rate (kg/s) - P pressure drop in test-section (N/m²) - S specific gravity of sand - V instantaneous flow velocity (m/s) - V _c steady flow critical velocity (m/s) - V _cp pulsating flow critical velocity (m/s) - V _F settling velocity of particles (m/s) - V _s steady component of mean flow velocity (m/s) - dynamic viscosity (g/cm sec) - _m mean density of suspension (kg/m³) - angular velocity (rad/sec) - amplitude ratio (V — V _s)/V - nondimentional factor equal to - nondimentional factor equal to (V–V _s/V - NI nondimentional factor equal to (V ²C _d/g D(S – 1)) - Re Reynolds number (V ²C _d/C _v g D(S – 1))